A K Lohithadas (1955-2009): Tribute to a legend

Adieu Lohithadas, from now on you will be known for your brilliant films! A K Lohithadas, one of the finest writers in the history of Malayalam cinema, passed away on June 28.

He could create sheer magic with his pen as it was evident from the more than fifty scripts that he penned during his highly illustrious career. It was the strength of those lines that gave shape to a number of meaningful characters and realistic tales.

Lohithadas was born at Palluruthy in Kochi but grew up in Chalakudy. He had made Lakkidi, a small village in Palakkad, his home for quite a while now. Lohi, as he was popularly known, started his career writing short stories and later, dramas. He had won the Kerala State award for the best playwright in 1985 for his drama Sindhu Shanthamayozhukunnu.

It was director Sibi Malayil who brought him into films, at the recommendation of actor Thilakan. Lohithadas created quite a storm with his maiden script, Thaniyavarthanam (1987 with Mammootty in the lead), which is regarded as one of the finest films in Malayalam cinema history. The remarkable journey began for Lohithadas then, and he wrote scripts that unleashed some characters and instances that were always known to Malayalis, but no one had told before.

He won quite a number of awards for his writings and also for direction. His cameos in films like Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal, Udayananu Tharam and Shakespeare M A (Malayalam) were also noted. Lohithadas was also known for introducing a few talents to movies, like Manju Warrier, Meera Jasmine, Bhama among others.

He had started shooting for a project titled Chembattu with Meera Jasmine, but it got shelved after a while. He had also planned a film titled Bheeshmar with Mohanlal as the hero and Sibi Malayil as the director. With his death, however, the film remains a dream. He will be sorely missed.